Not long ago, it could have been reasonably argued that virtual reality (VR) headsets were poised for a breakthrough in popularity. However, it now appears that the initial excitement surrounding these devices has dissipated. As Business Insider reports, while sales of lighter, tech-based smart glasses may increase, by 2025, shipments of heavier VR headsets appear to have fallen by about 43%. As a VR headset owner, I can personally speak to the factors that could be driving this trend.
In early 2020, looking for a device that would allow me to escape the confines of my apartment as a pandemic quickly approached, I purchased an Oculus Go. I was impressed enough at the time to purchase an Oculus Quest (now called Meta Quest) shortly after. For a few months I used the Quest almost daily. Games like “The Climb” allowed me to simulate an extreme sports experience, “Superhot VR” almost convinced me I was in “The Matrix,” and VR apps like “Mission: ISS” leveraged technology to offer a small glimpse of what space travel might actually look like from an astronaut’s perspective.
From where I’m typing this, I can look directly into the closet where I keep my Meta Quest. He’s been there for four years. Although the novelty of VR kept me busy at first, it’s been a while since I felt the need to strap on the headset. The reasons could shed light on the waning popularity of these devices.
Wearing a VR headset isn’t really practical
As immersive as VR worlds can be, it’s worth first addressing a fundamental point: in reality, accessing these worlds isn’t exactly comfortable or convenient. Research indicates that, while not necessarily a major problem, discomfort is not particularly uncommon among VR headset users. I can attest to the fact that these devices certainly never felt like they were designed with ergonomics in mind. The headset is noticeably heavy and to ensure a smooth VR experience you need to wear it quite tightly. This has caused me headaches on several occasions.
Now I remember that my quest allowed me to “draw” an invisible perimeter around my body before I started playing games or opening experiences. The perimeter was to ensure that I didn’t bump into or trip over anything in the real world while the VR headset screen dominated my visual field. If I went outside the perimeter, the device would alert me.
On the one hand, this basic security feature allowed me to indulge in VR experiences ranging from simulated fitness classes (“Supernatural”) to boxing (“Creed: Rise to Glory”) without worrying about accidentally punching a hole in the wall. On the other hand, it’s always difficult to fully relax into this kind of experience when you can’t see (and to some extent, hear) what’s really going on around you. There’s no doubt that spending more than half an hour or so isolating your senses from the real world with an uncomfortable device strapped to your head can start to feel disorienting and unnatural.
VR is not ideal for extended use
My personal experience is not the only evidence to suggest that VR headsets suffer from a “It’s fun, but in limited doses” effect. According to a report from AR Insider, the vast majority of VR headset users spend a maximum of six hours per week in VR. Around 30% of users spend less than an hour per week using their devices.
In an editorial for the World Economic Forum, Jeremy Bailenson, founding director of the Virtual Human Interaction Lab at Stanford University, discusses the benefits of this technology while admitting that spending more than half an hour in a virtual world is probably not advisable. Bailenson explains that virtual reality can have productive uses, including training firefighters, offering “field trips” to help users learn about climate change, and even promoting empathy by allowing users to inhabit other bodies. I can personally say that the “Anne Frank House VR” experience brought me to tears by giving me a glimpse into the experience of hiding from oppression in a small attic.
That said, as Bailenson points out, VR environments don’t perfectly resemble ours. This alone can fatigue the senses. Plus, there’s something that feels inherently “bad for you” about spending hours cut off from what’s actually going on around you. This is definitely why my VR sessions have never been this long. The problem is that booting up the device and navigating to an app takes a few minutes alone. After a while, without making a conscious decision, I began to silently decide that using VR for half an hour was not worth starting a session.
In my experience, VR games offer quick novelties
Thinking back on how much fun VR was when I first bought my devices, only to realize that writing this article didn’t make me want to pull the Quest off the closet shelf and return to it, VR is starting to feel like a gimmick. At least that’s my impression from an average consumer’s point of view. Here’s the main problem I remember: Even though the coolest VR games and experiences seemed new and exciting, they didn’t offer much beyond that.
For example, one of the most popular VR experiences from my use of the Quest was “Richie’s Plank Experience.” I admit it was fun to play and even more fun to use to introduce others to VR. The game/app simulates walking on a plank from a skyscraper. Even if you know it’s VR, it’s difficult to convince yourself to take the plunge.
But once you do, the experience is over in five seconds. On the other hand, while “Supernatural VR” may be the gold standard for showcasing the unique features a VR game can offer, as someone who has always struggled to complete video games, I completed this one in a weekend consisting of several short gaming sessions. Once I got used to the gadget, the replay value dropped off a cliff. After a while, it wasn’t worth spending money on games and apps that offered nothing more than a few moments of “Wow, that’s cool!” ” excitement.
VR has its advantages
None of this is to say that virtual reality is a useless technology. While I may not have worn my helmet in almost half a decade, I can’t say I’m unhappy about purchasing one. For almost a year, the Go and Quest provided enough entertainment to justify their costs.
That said, some of their most rewarding experiences turned out to be lesser versions of experiences I might have had in the real world. Sure, I could burn a few calories pseudo-dancing to classic tunes with “Supernatural,” but working out in the real world is more practical. I enjoyed using VR to simulate hikes, but it often reminded me that, hey, maybe I’d be better off just going on a real hike.
What’s worth noting is that the true value of VR lies outside of mainstream gaming and entertainment spaces. For example, virtual reality can be a resource-saving tool for training surgeons, truck drivers and others. Virtual reality may also improve the effectiveness of exposure therapy programs for people with PTSD. After all, when we step back, we must remember that virtual reality is a relatively new technology. It makes perfect sense that he’s not yet close to realizing his true potential. In the meantime, if, like me, you own one of these devices, it’s worth exploring some productive and fun uses for an old VR headset. If you’re new to Quest, you should also learn about essential Quest VR apps that you may want to download first.